Growth, Yield, and Nutrient Content of Amaranthus SPP. as Influenced by Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources

Abstract

Greenhouse and Laboratory studies were carried out to compare the effects oforganic and inorganic nutrient sources on the growth, yield and nutrient content of Amaranthus Cruentus . The experiments were conducted at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, and the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike. The treatments were: 0 tons/ha- control (T₁), NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer 400kg/ha (T₂), NPK 20:10:10 Fertilizer equivalent of 200kg/ha + 20t/ha poultry manure (T₃), NPK 20:10:10 Fertilizer equivalent of 200kg/ha + 30t/ha poultry manure (T₄),Poultry manure equivalent of 20t/ha. (T₅), Poultry manure equivalent of 30t/ha (T₆). The treatments were replicated three times and arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) in the greenhouse. The soil used for the study was acidic, having a pH value of 4.8 and low percentage nitrogen (0.09 %), total exchangeable bases (4.46 cmol/kg) and exchangeable acidity (1.64cmol/kg). From the results, the growth parameters measured (Plant height, stem girth and number of leaves) were significant at p<0.05 with the treatment containing NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer equivalent of 200kg/ha + 30t/ha poultry manure (T₄) having the highest values in almost all the growth parameters measured. The same trend was observed with respect to fresh biomass and dry matter yield and the nutrient composition of Amaranthus cruentus. It was therefore concluded that NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer + 30t/ha poultry manure application gave the optimal performance in this study and is therefore recommended for the cultivation of Amaranthus cruentus in the study area.